WHAT TO SEE
We can’t think of a more perfect way to start your Hot Springs adventure than by strolling downtown along Central Avenue. Walk alongside Bathhouse Row so you can see these charming buildings that are part of a national park. Pop in and out of shops. See historic Hotel Arlington dominate the skyline. Here are the places we visited on a hosted trip.
Hot Springs Mountain View Tower. Photo by Bill Solleder.
A visit to Hot Springs Mountain View Tower is a must. After a hilly, winding drive, take an elevator or the stairs to an observation tower that’s 216 feet up in the air and gives you a bird’s eye view of downtown Hot Springs and the surrounding area. Learn more about the history of Hot Springs on the floor below the observation tower. The day we visited, clouds covered the area and gave the place a mystery-novel vibe.
Fordyce Bathhouse. Photo by Bill Solleder.
Fordyce Bathhouse opened in 1915 and captures the historical essence of a Hot Springs bathhouse. Before you head inside the massive 28,000 square foot space, check out the natural hot spring to the left of Fordyce. The water is pleasantly hot and steaming. Inside, you’ll find a museum designed to resemble the bathhouse in its heyday. Highlights include an ornate men’s spa. Admire the intricate stained glass ceiling in the lobby of the men’s spa. You’ll also find early physical therapy equipment and a gym on the top floor outfitted with equipment of the era. The top floor lounges were full of period-era clothing, shoes and accessories.
Buckstaff Bath House Co. Photo by Bill Solleder.
Built in 1912, Buckstaff Bath House Co. is one of the two working baths in Hot Springs and is a quintessential Hot Springs experience. A bath attendant will guide your experience. You start out by soaking in a tub filled with the natural hot thermal water that’s only found in Hot Springs. After you get out of the tub, tell the bath attendant of any “trouble” areas and the attendant will place hot towels on those spots on your body as you lie down on a table to rest. Our favorite part of this part of the experience was a cool towel wrapped around our heads. Next, we sat in a steam box. Afterward, we sat in a sitz bath for a few minutes that was followed by a Needles shower that gently uses water from multiple showerheads to wash you off. Finally, indulge in a 20-minute massage to complete the entire soothing, one-of-a-kind experience.
Garvan Woodland Gardens, Anthony Chapel. Photo by Eva Simpson.
About 15 minutes from downtown Hot Springs, Garvan Woodland Gardens is a gorgeous place. The 210-acre botanical garden is a lush, natural wonderland that comes complete with a coy pond and picturesque bridges. One highlight here is the Anthony Chapel. This stunning chapel is essentially just wood and glass that blends in seamlessly with its setting with expansive windows showcasing the green trees all around. Another stellar attraction is the suspended Bob and Sunny Evans Tree House. Constructed out of wood, the floating structure is a fun place to explore and offers a great photo opp if you’re standing on its balcony.
Garvan Woodland Gardens. Photo by Eva Simpson.
WHERE TO EAT
Kollective Coffee and Tea. Photo by Eva Simpson.
Kollective Coffee and Tea serves top-notch coffee and stellar breakfast foods in a hip atmosphere on bustling Central Avenue. In addition to the traditional cookies and pastries, the coffee shop offers, in its own words, “healthyish” options. We chose the Blissful Balance Vegan Style that featured a slice of naan topped with basil pesto, kale, avocado and hummus that was artfully drizzled with red and hot Sriracha. We dug this colorful and texture-rich plate. This coffee shop buzzes with energy that’s not just from the java.
The Pancake Shop. Photo by Eva Simpson.
The Pancake Shop’s name says it all. This restaurant serves dynamite pancakes in a classic diner atmosphere. We ordered chocolate chip and banana pancakes that were fluffy, sweet and just buttery enough. The menu also features sides like eggs, bacon and award-winning sausage. All of the breakfast dishes here are outstanding.
The outside sign at Deluca’s Pizzeria features the colorful New York City subway circles that signify that you can find one of the city’s signature foods: pizza. Diners can enjoy a variety of brick-oven pies alongside traditional Italian fare. Our personal favorite was the spicy Pasty Searcy Pie. Expect a nice hot kick after you enjoy a slice of this pizza topped with spicy soppressata, Calabrian chili oil, peppadews and honey. But Deluca’s also features top-notch pasta and a killer burger. The Deluca’s Steak Burger was thick, juicy and a dish we’d order every time. Our top pasta pick was the rich and hearty Bolognese that tasted like comfort.
Deluca’s Pizzeria. Photo by Bill Solleder.
Housed in the Superior Bathhouse that gives the business its name, Superior Bathhouse Brewery is the only brewery within a national park. The brewery also uses the local thermal spring water as its main ingredient. We loved the creative craft brewery flavors like Jess’ Big Dill or a Pickle Sour. If you prefer more traditional offerings, try The Beez Knees Blonde Ale. Our chicken Gryo was warm, moist and wrapped around a soft, warm pita. The beer cheese was thick, tangy and tasty. The dining room of Eden at the Hotel Hale – a former bathhouse – might just be one of the most beautiful dining rooms we’ve ever been in. Look forward to natural sunlight streaming in from the skylight above, green plants embedded into the living wall and a marble bar. We devoured fresh tuna, crisp flatbread, a moist Pork Shank over Saffron Risotto and a decadent key lime pie served in a cocktail glass.
McClard’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant. Photo by Eva Simpson.
Housed in a tiny nondescript white building just off Albert Pike Road, McClard’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant has a near-legendary reputation. Bill and Hillary Clinton and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry all have stopped here to try to some ‘cue. We took comfort in the old-school diner vibe of a restaurant that’s been open since 1928. There’s something reassuring about knowing that if you stepped foot inside 30 years, you’d get the same experience. We were delighted by what we found – moist, tender BBQ topped with this spot’s tangy sauce that you can take home in a small glass bottle. Don’t miss the stellar fries that were well-seasoned and fried to an ideal crisp.
Located in east Hot Springs, Taco Mama is a lively spot that serves authentic Mexican cuisine. We started out sampling appetizers and couldn’t get enough of the plates like the Queso and Guacamole served with chips. If you haven’t had puffy tacos, you should. These are deep fried and provide a nice, crisp “cushion” for the taco fillings. We loved the variety of taco fillings on the menu ranging from ground beef to cauliflower here. Consider a bubbly Champagne Margarita to complement your meal.
Located next door to the Best Court Cottages hotel, Best Café and Bar has a very distinct vintage feel that includes a black and white checked floor and diner chairs. We swung by for breakfast the morning we left Hot Springs. We just had to order the signature Crème Brulee French Toast. This unbelievably decadent dish was made with thick house brioche and topped with salted molasses butter and wild berry compote. We enjoyed every sugary and savory bite that would hit the spot following a late night out (ahem). The dish came with a hearty sausage patty that we quickly devoured. We paired our dish with a brown sugar latte that the barista made perfectly.
Downtown, Hot Springs, Arkansas. Photo by Bill Solleder.
Flavored moonshine is a trending beverage all over the country, and Crystal Ridge Distillery is here for it. The interior of the craft distillery is almost entirely wood and features high ceilings. Moonshine, essentially, is un-aged whiskey. We loved the 16 different flavors including the Watermelon we took home. Other flavors include Honey Lemonade, Pecan Pie and Strawberry. If you prefer sweeter libations, try the cocktails, but mostly enjoy this fun atmosphere. Mountain View is most famous for its glass green water bottles that presidents and even Elvis have enjoyed. Check out Mountain Valley Spring Co Visitor Center and Museum downtown. The natural water comes from a spring in the nearby Ouachita Mountains. Try the crisp, refreshing still spring water or sample from the variety of sparkling beverages that come in different flavors like tangy Key Lime. The second floor features a museum with pictures of celebs enjoying the stuff.
WHERE TO STAY
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. Photo by Eva Simpson.
Oaklawn Park is best known for its horse racing track, but Oaklawn also has opened a luxe hotel and spa called Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. We fell for the hotel’s massive lobby featuring a chic bar and well-lit bookcases featuring various horse racing trophies. The hotel rooms feature luxe amenities like soft-as-a-cloud beds wrapped with high thread-count Frette sheets and a Lenovo touch screen. Bathrooms featured impossibly plush Matouk towels and a rainfall showerhead.
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. Photos by Bill Solleder.
Upstairs from the lobby, find a lively casino, sports betting and seven different bars and restaurants. Expansive windows provide unparalleled views of the racetrack from The Bugler, a fine dining restaurant. Other hotel highlights include a swank rooftop pool and the Astral Spa. It’s beyond fitting that a luxe hotel in Hot Springs would have a spa to reflect the city’s rich history as a spa destination. We loved the quartz—Arkansas is well-known for its natural quartz–displayed throughout the Astral Spa’s lobby. The spa features a fitness center, a salon, steam rooms and needles showers. Guests can book facials, nail treatments, massages and body treatments. One of the signature spa treatments are called Spa Journeys. If you book a Journey of the Springs, look forward to a heated mineral foot soak and a warm shoulder wrap before your treatment. Next, indulge in a shea butter scrub, an 80-minute massage, a scalp treatment, facial treatment and massage. The entire luxe experience is capped off with a glass of Champagne. Post-treatment, relax in a soothing lounge outfitted with a Himalayan salt wall.
The Reserve at Hot Springs. Photo by Eva Simpson.
Housed inside a former private mansion on lush, landscaped grounds, The Reserve at Hot Springs is a historic property filled with modern amenities. Walk inside the white building with columns and see a lobby to your right and a sitting area to your left featuring upholstered couches and a piano. The 12 guestrooms are individually decorated and feel like something out of a historical romance novel. Think plush beds with wooden frames, paintings on the walls and marble tiled bathrooms. Guests can enjoy made-to-order breakfasts in the morning. Wandering around this property felt like a real-life history lesson.
Food at the Reserve at Hot Springs. Photo by Eva Simpson.
